Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari is “highly unlikely” to face criminal raps for allegedly coddling an Abu Sayyaf leader, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Monday.
He told reporters Misuari did not harbor Anduljihad Susukan alias Idang, one of the country’s most wanted men, since he surrendered to police authorities last week.
“Misuari arranged the surrender of the terror suspect and did not harbor [him],” Roque said.
“I know that he arranged the surrender, so in terms of criminal liability, it is highly unlikely,” he said.
“Susukan was not caught because Nur Misuari was coddling him. That’s not what happened. It seems that he really arranged that the authorities would apprehend Susukan in his residence on that given day.”
Roque quickly made clear that he was unaware of the circumstances behind Susukan’s surrender.
Misuari handed over the Abu Sayyaf leader to the police at his residence in Davao City on Thursday.
Philippine National Police Chief Archie Gamboa said earlier that Misuari handed over Susukan to the police at the MNLF leader’s residence in Davao City on Aug.13.
Police served 23 warrants of arrest for murder, five for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and six for frustrated murder against Susukan after he was handed over.